Barrettisms

Speaking of college in that last post, a professor of mine was very quotable:

On Software Testing

• Pretend you're stupid. [ed. note: the implication here was that we wouldn't have to try very hard]
• Error: Stuff may be happening.
• Users are exponentially stupid, but programmers are only linearly smart.
• Ha ha, I found your error, you dope.

Communication

• I need an editor when I talk.
• I hate talking to people.
• Honesty is usually the best policy.

Derision

• They'll write all kinds of code for you; it just happens to be a bunch of crap.
• VB [Visual Basic] is for wimps.
• I'm making a mockery of you. You should be offended.

Wisdom

• Nobody uses interpreted languages unless they're trying to get away with something.
• If you can go through life without making any decisions, then that's a good thing.
• Education is the only service profession where people complain about getting more for their money.

How Computers really Work

• These bits are traveling across these magic wires.